FDA Eliminates Dozens of Food Identification Standards, Opening Door to Simpler Labeling and More Product Innovation

Per a release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency is revoking or proposing to revoke 52 long-standing food regulations that it has deemed outdated. These changes affect canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni items, and other food categories—part of a broader deregulatory effort under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

The FDA’s move is the first step in a wider review of over 250 “Standards of Identity”—federal definitions of what a given food product must contain and how it must be produced. These standards, many of which date back to 1939, were designed to protect consumers and promote fair labeling practices. However, the FDA now considers many of them redundant due to modern food safety laws, ingredient transparency, and nutritional labeling requirements. The agency indicated that revoking these outdated rules will allow for increased flexibility in food production and may lead to new product offerings and healthier choices on grocery shelves.

The agency issued a direct final rule that eliminates 11 standards covering canned fruits and vegetables no longer sold in U.S. markets, particularly those artificially sweetened with saccharin. It also introduced two proposed rules targeting an additional 41 standards. These include dairy products like certain cheeses and frozen desserts, and other items such as bakery products, noodles, dressings, and canned juices.

This regulatory rollback follows a joint Request for Information issued in May by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA to identify unnecessary regulations. The action aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14192, which aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve government transparency. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that the decision is part of a larger campaign to streamline government oversight and prioritize regulatory resources where they are most needed.

The changes do not affect existing requirements around ingredient safety, manufacturing practices, and nutritional labeling, which remain in place to protect consumer health and ensure food safety.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration press release.

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